Foot corrective appliance



sept. 30, 1947- B. H. SHERMAN 2,428,342

FOOT CORRECTIVE APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 1, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 30, 1947. B. H. SHERMAN FOOT CORRECTIVE APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 1, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patente d Sept. 30, 1947 FOO'I" CORRECTIVE APPLIANCE Bernard H. Sherman, Boston, Mass, assignor of one-third to Edwin M. Warwick, Walpole, and one-sixth to Harold E. Cole, Taunton', Mass.

Application December 1, 19 14, SerhlNmfiBBflE-l 12 Claims.

This invention relates to a foot correcting appliance.

Qne object of my invention is to provide an appliance that. willtreat a weak or deformed toot and obtain both a; palliative and curative result. Another object. is to provide a. combination of afore portion and: a heel portion connected together which serves to correct deformities or weakness, or both, in the fore and heel uortinns'. of the foot. simultaneously. Since both portions. oi? the that are coordinated in function and can best be corrected together this linking together of said: two portions affords a. distinct advantage.

A further ohliect. is to provide means whereby my appliance is made adiustable so that it may be adapted toflt individual foot.

My appliance will: counteract abduction of the forefoot. with. relation to the rearfoot in a state of weakfoot. Thus without directly supporting the long arch from. below the. bones of the. foot are compelled to resume their normal relation.- slsip and while so retained; a muscular and ligamntous strengthening takes place until the foot functions naturally without this artificial aid. 'll'hns by providing an appliance that does not apply direct measure the weakened soft structunes are free to shorten: themselves and. will become: strong enough to perform their function of keeping the: long arch in; place unassisted.

The foregoing, and: other obiects which will appear as the of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction. combination and: arrangement of parts such as is disclosed by the drawings and specification. The nature ofthe invention is such as to render it. susceptible. to various. changes and modifications, and, therefore, I am not to be limited to said disclosure; but am entitled to all such changes therefrom asfall within the scope of my claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan View of my appliance for a right. foot.

Figured; is a. bottom view thereof.

Figure 3 is an outer side elevational View of said appliance. V

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 1..

Figure 6 is a plan View of the inner side part of the heel portion of appliance.

Figure '1 is a plan view of the connector that links the heeland forefoot portions of my device.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of my appliance in: positiom of use on. a right foot.

Figure 9- is a plan. view of my appliance, similar to Figure 1.; but with the upstanding part of the forefoot inner side. piece removed.

As illustrated, I show an appliance that is adapted to fit. the right foot of a person. Said appliances are commonly used in pairs for both. right left feet. In referring to the outer side of any part of my appliance I mean the side that is intended. for the outer side of the foot, which is. thev right. side of a right foot. Likewise in referring: to the inner side I mean the side intended for theinner side of the foot which is the left side 01? the right foot.

My appliance consists of three main parts, namely,a heel member or portion H, a forefoot member or portion F and aconhecting member C that connects H and F. These three portions could be made in one piece or in fewer pieces than shown; but they would not have the same facility in use or :be as freely adjustable. Said heel portion H forms a cradle in which the heel can rest. It preterably is made of a rear outer part I. L, a front outer part ii, a rear inner part I3 and a front inner part M.

The inner surfaces are concaved-shaped. Said front outer part II has an outwardly extending flange lie at the top which overhangs the top edge of the adjoining part I I as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings whereby said front and rear parts H and H are adjustably associated together. This likewise is true of the inner rear part 13 and inner front part I4 since the latter has an outwardly extending flange Ma. Said flanges Na and Ma serve tohold; said front andrear parts steady when set in. a. predetermined position.

Said rear parts it and [3 each have a slot l6 and said front parts I? and t4 each have a screwthreaded hole [-8 therein. Screws 29 of the Allen type having a hole in their outer end extend through said slots t6 and screw-threadedly engage said holes t8 and hold the said rear and front. parts in engagement with each other. To change the length of said heel portion H said screws 2d are readily loosened and said rear parts H and I3 are moved forward or backward to the extent desired and allowed by the length of said slots l-li. Thus the forefoot portion F is moved forwardly or rearwardly as said heel portion H islengthened or shortened.

Said heel outer liront part H has a lateral extension 22 made integral therewith having an upper eross-serratedsurface 2211 which has a long slot 23 therein that extends laterally of my appliance. Said heel inner front part l3 has a lateral extension 24 at the front which has a screwthreaded hole 25 therein that is adapted to aline with said slot 23 when said front parts l2 and I4 are in normal position relative to each other. Its under surface is cross-serrated as at 24c. A screw 26 holds said front parts l2 and I4 together, by extending through said slot 23 into said hole 25 after said right front part l2 has been adjustably positioned laterally relative to said left front part l4.

Said inner front part l4 of said heel portion H has a front extension 21 having a hole 28 therein. An upper surface portion of said extension 21 is preferably radially serrated as at 30 on its upper surface.

This heel member H could be used alone in cases where the forefoot portion F is unnecessary. Its main function, however, is to provide a secure anchor by which said forefoot portion is enabled to retain its predetermined position.

Said forefoot member F consists of an outer side 3| cross-serrated on its upper surface as at 3|a, and an inner side 32 cross-serrated on its under surface, as at 3211, the teeth of which mesh with serrations 3|a. Said outer side 3| has an integral lateral extension piece 33 which has a slot 34 therein extending towards said inner side 32 which latter has a lateral extension 35 having screw-threaded hole 36 therein. A set screw 31 is adapted to enter said slot 34 and engage the threads of said hole 36, thereby holding the two sides together. Channel portions 38 are formed in said inner side piece 32 at its forward and rearward extremities, which extend to the inner lateral edges of said side 29, in which channels 38 said extension piece 33 slidably fits. Said forefoot inner side 32 has a radially serrated under surface 39 at its rear portion and a screw-threaded hole 40 extends therethrough.

Said heel member H is connected to said forefoot member F by a link or connector C which extends between heel member H and forefoot member F. This connector C has a radiall serrated under surface 4| at its rear end whose teeth are adapted to grip with the teeth of said radially-serrated surface 3|) on said heel inner front part M to thereby prevent rotative movement between said connector and said heel portion once their relative position is determined, A screw-threaded hole 42 in said connector C at the center of said serrated surface 4| is adapted to allne with said hole 28 in said heel part extension 21 when in normal position of use, and a set screw 43 extends through said hole 28 and engages the threads of said hole 42.

At the front end of said connector C there is a radially-serrated surface 46 at its upper surface in the center of which is a hole 41 through which a screw 48 extends and engages the thread of hole 40. Said screws 43 and 43 permit variations in the angle of said connector C in its position between said heel and forefoot portions H and thus the position of said forefoot member F relative to said heel member H may thereby be varied. The teeth of said radially-serrated surface 46 mesh with the teeth of said serrated surface 39.

The anterior border 50 of said forefoot portion outer side 3| at its farthest point forward reaches to a point immediately behind the head of the fifth metatarsal bone when correctly positioned. Thus said outer side 3| exerts pressure first upon the shaft and base of the fifth metatarsal bone and also first upon a part of the cuboid bone, consequently pressure is exerted in a medial direction upon all the structures in the forefoot which by its continuous pressure tends to effect a cure. As a result of this medial pressure the medial longitudinal arch is raised to its normal position and is retained in this normal position for the period necessary to effect the natural strengthening of the ligaments and muscles concerned. Since these muscles and ligaments are not directly supported from below and since the plantar structures of the foot are not stretched as they would be with a conventional arch support, the above named structures, in conformance with physiological laws will spontaneously become strong enough to support the medial longitudinal arch without assistance.

My foot correcting appliance is intended to be used with the ordinary shoe or other footwear, and by adjusting it to fit the individual foot it is so comfortable that it can be worn throughout the day.

What I claim is:

1. A foot corrective appliance comprising a heel portion, a forefoot portion spaced therefrom, a connector member connecting said portions and bridging said space, and means to adjust the position of said connector, said forefoot portion having an upstanding portion of rigid material at its outer side.

2. A foot corrective appliance comprising a heel supporting member embodying a plurality of sections on each side thereof, two of said sections at opposite sides each having a slot therein extending in a front to rear direction, two other said sections each having an opening therein and when in position of use being adapted to overlie said first sections whereby said slots and openings will be in alinement, and means adapted to enter said slots and openings to hold said sections together.

3. A foot corrective appliance comprising a heel supporting member embodying a plurality of sections on each side thereof connected together lengthwise and crosswise, said sections on the same side being so positioned that they can be moved forwardly or rearwardly relative to each other, the said sections on opposite sides being so positioned that they can be moved laterally relative to each other, movable means adapted to adjustably hold said sections on the same side together and movable means adapted to adjustably hold said laterally movable sections together.

4. A foot corrective appliance comprising a heel supportin member embodying a plurality of sections on each side thereof, two said sections at opposite sides each having a slot therein extending in a front to rear direction, two other said sections each having an opening therein and when in position of use being adapted to overlap said first section whereby said slots and opening will be in alinement, and means adapted to enter said slots and openings to hold said sections together, one said section having a lateral extension portion having a slot therein, another said section opposite said latter section having an opening therein adapted to aline with said latter slot and means adapted to enter said latter slot and opening to hold said latter sections together.

5. A foot appliance comprising a heel portion embodyin a, plurality of sections at each side thereof, movable means holding said sections together adapted to permit longitudinal adjustment of said sections, movable means holding said sections together adapted to permit lateral adjustamass.

ment of said sections which are at opposite sides, a forefootportion embodying two sections, movablemgans adapted to holdrmether andpermit miner-adjustment of said; forefoot sections; a amnectonmember connecting said heelv portion and; forrefootrportion, movable,- means connecting said: connector member to said-heel portion; and means connecting said forefoot portionv but said mneehor-rnember.

' 6.11s footr appliance comprising-(a heelzportzion tfinbodying a plurality of sections at each side thereof, havingopem'ngs therein, movable means adaptedito enter said openings and hold said sec fllms ipgether to permit; longitudinal adjustment ofifiaidiseotions, two opposite saidisectlons hamng analogstfherein, movable means adapted to enter said latter sections and hold said sections together to permit lateral adjustment of said sections, a forefoot portion embodying two sections, movable means adapted to permit lateral adjustment of said sections, a connector member connecting said heel portion and forefoot portion together, movable means connecting said connector member to said heel portion, and means connecting said forefoot portion to said connector member.

7. A foot appliance comprising a heel portion embodying a plurality of sections at each side thereof, movable means holding said sections together adapted to permit longitudinal adjustment of said sections, movable means holding said sections together adapted to permit lateral adjustment of said sections which are at opposite sides, a forefoot portion embodying two laterally opposite sections each having upstanding side portions, movable means adapted to permit lateral adjustment of said latter sections, a connector member connecting said heel portion and forefoot portion, movable means connecting said connector member to said heel portion, and means connecting said forefoot portion t said connector member.

8. A foot appliance comprising a heel portion embodying two sections at each side thereof, one said side section on each side thereof having a slot therein and one said side section on each side thereof having an opening therein, both pairs of said Side sections overlying each other so that said slots and openings are in alinement with each other, pin members extending into said slots and openings and adapted to hold said sections together, a said side section having a slot therein and another side section laterally opposite thereto having an opening therein, said latter side sections overlying each other so that said latter slot and opening are in alinement, a pin member extending into said latter slot and opening to hold said side sections together, a forefoot portion embodying two sections one said section having a slot therein and th other an opening, said forefoot portion sections overlying each other so that said slot and opening are in alinement with each other, a pin member extending into said slot and opening and adapted to hold said sections together, a connector member connecting said heel portion and forefoot portion having two openings therein, said heel portion and said forefoot portion each having another opening therein which are adapted to aline with said openings in said connector member, and pin members extending into connector member opening and said fore foot portion and heel portion latter-mentioned openings to connect said connector member and said forefoot and heel portions together.

9. A foot appliance comprising a heel portion 6'2 embodymg two secticns ae eaubcside tltereof,.me Saiti SiHESQOUiDH OHIEHXIILSidG thermft lztawiirgza slot therein and; one: said side section; on each. side thereof having amopening? therein, both pairswfi said side sectionsoverlyixrgeaclr other soithaztsairb slots opening's a-re-im alinement with; each; other, adjustable pin membersextendingiintb said: slots and openings andmdamied tw holdi saidiseoa tions together; a lateral portion: of said sideserrtion having a,- slot therei'rrand a lateral: portionof another side section laterally opposite thereto having an openingtheneim-said latter side sections overlying each other laterally so that said latter slot and-openingareii'r alinement, an adiustable pin member extendinginto said latter slot and opening to hold said: Side; sections to gether, a forefoot portion embodyin two sections one said section having a slot therein and the other an opening, said forefoot portion sections overlying each other so that said slot and opening are in alinement with each other, an adjustable pin member extending into said slot and opening and adapted to hold said sections together, a connector member connecting said heel portion and forefoot portion having two openings therein, said heel portion and said forefoot portion each having another opening therein which are adapted to aline with said openings in said connector member, and pin members extending into connector member openings and said forefoot portion and heel portion latter-mentioned openings to connect said connector member and said forefoot and heel portions together.

10. A foot appliance comprising a heel portion embodying two sections at each side thereof, one said side section on each side thereof having a slot therein and one said side section on each side thereof having an opening therein, both pairs of said side sections overlying each other so that said slots and openings are in alinement with each other, adjustable pin members extending into said slots and openings and adapted to hold said sections together, a said side section having a slot therein and another side section laterally opposite thereto having an opening therein, said latter side sections overlying each other laterally so that said latter slot and opening are in alinement, an adjustable pin member extending into said latter slot and opening to hold said side sections together, a forefoot portion embodying two sections one said section having a slot therein and the other an opening, said forefoot portion sections overlying each other so that said slot and opening are in alinement with each other, an adjustable pin member extending into said slot and opening and adapted to hold said sections together, a connector member extending diagonally between and connecting said heel portion and forefoot portion having two openings therein, said heel portion and said forefoot portion each having another opening therein which are adapted to aline with said opening in said connector member, and pin members extending into connector member openings and said forefoot portion and heel portion latter-mentioned openings to connect said connector member and said forefoot and heel portions together, said forefoot ortion having an upstanding outer side member.

117 A foot corrective appliance comprising a heel portion, a forefoot portion paced therefrom, a connector member connecting said portions and bridging said space, and means to adjust the position of said connector, said forefoot portion having upstanding portions of rigid material at its inner and outer sides.

12. A foot corrective appliance compmmg a heel portion, a forefoot portionspeced therefrom, a connector member connecting said portions and bridging said space,. and means to adiust, the position of said connector embo y ng tweed? Justable fastening members at opposite ends of said connector member in cooperative engagement with said heel portion and vforefoot portlons, said forefoot portion having anupstandlng portion of rigid material at its outer side. 10.

BERNARD r1 SHERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this Datentt Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name I Date Drenshtein Apr. 13, 1915 Burns Aug.1,1883 Schenk Dec. 25, 1917 Grant May 9, 187 1 Coran Jan. 10, 1933 Jungmann Nov. 16, 1937 Burns Oct. 17, 1882 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Apr. 1, 1897 Germany Feb. 18, 1936 Germany Dec. 8, 192? 

